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Royal Canadian Navy frigate to take part in missile firing exercise off coast of Scotland

Off the coast of California, HMCS Calgary fires an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) in this file shot from 2007.Photo: Corporal Pier-Adam Turcotte

David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen

Published: May 6, 2019 - 9:33 AM

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship St. John’s is off the coast of Scotland to participate in missile firings as part of a U.S.-led exercise.

Exercise Formidable Shield 19, known as FOSH 19, is a live-fire Integrated air and missile defence exercise that runs until May 19. HMCS St. John’s has joined ships from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States to take part in the training.

In total there will be 13 ships, more than 10 aircraft, and approximately 3,300 personnel participating in the exercise, according to the Canadian Forces.

During the live-fire scenario, HMCS St. John’s role will exercise its air defence capabilities by protecting allied units who are conducting ballistic missile defence operations from ‎conventional anti-ship missile threats, according to the Canadian military. The frigate will fire its Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles during the training.